Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

 

 

State House view from the southThis week at the

 

General Assembly

 

 

 

STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease

 

 

 

 

 

§  Senate passes President Ruggerio’s unpaid wages bill

 

The Senate passed legislation (2017-S-0192A) sponsored by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) that would establish a procedure for employees to secure liens against employers for unpaid wages. Contested claims would be decided by the Superior Court. Similar legislation (2017-H 5847) has been introduced in the House by Rep. Shelby Maldonado (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls).

 

Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  House OKs Shekarchi bill to create course for parents of teens in driver’s ed
 The House approved legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) to establish a free educational course for parents of students in driver’s education classes. Under the bill (2017-H 5457A), the course would be available online and at various times and locations around the state, and parental participation would be a requirement for the issuance of a graduated license for a driver under 18, unless a parent has taken the course for a sibling within five years. Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, Johnston, North Providence) is sponsoring similar legislation (2017-S 0102) in the Senate.
 Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate approves requirement for defibrillators in large public gathering spots
The Senate approved legislation (2017-S 0777) sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) to require an automated external defibrillator and a qualified person to administer it at all public places that hold 300 or more people.
 Click here to see news release.

 

§  House approves bill for flooding and sea rise training for planning boards
The House approved legislation (2017-H 5042aa) sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) requiring all members of municipal planning boards or commissions in Rhode Island to participate in a free two-hour training program on the effects of rising sea levels and the effects of development in flood plains.

 

Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Fogarty bill creating DEM freshwater overseer gets Senate nod
 The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Paul W. Fogarty (D-Dist. 23, Glocester, Burrillville, North Smithfield) to create a new position within the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to coordinate the stewardship of freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in Rhode Island. Rep. Cale P. Keable (D-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester) is sponsoring the legislation (2017-H 5174) in the House.
 Click here to see news release.

 

§  House passes McNamara bill to ban advertising of unhealthy foods in school
The House passed legislation (2017-H 5580) sponsored by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) that would prohibit the advertising of unhealthy food and beverage products in schools, particularly those that may not be sold on the school campus during the school day, since they do not meet minimum federal governmental nutrition standards. Similar legislation (2017-S 0304) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham).
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Sen. Lynch Prata’s Gaspee Days license plate bill passes Senate

 

Sen. Erin Lynch Prata’s (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) legislation (2017-S 0363A) to create a special fundraising license plate to benefit the Gaspee Days Committee passed the Senate. The plate would include a $40 surcharge for those individuals ordering them, with $20 of that going to the Gaspee Days Committee and the other $20 going to the state’s general fund. Similar legislation (2017-H 5424) has been introduced in the House by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston).

 

Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Rep. Morin bill would create student loan forgiveness program
The House Finance Committee heard legislation (2017-H 5169) introduced by Rep. Michael Morin (D-Dist. 49, Woonsocket) that would establish the “Get on Your Feet” student loan forgiveness program targeted at helping middle-income students afford the high cost of college by providing a grace period for the first two years after graduation. For those who meet the requirements, the state would pay the difference between what the federal government covers and the individual’s total loan payment.
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Rep. Vella-Wilkinson wants panel to study military sexual trauma
Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) has introduced legislation (2017-H 6218) that would create a five-member special legislative study commission whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations on potential policy, training, and/or preventative measures involving occurrences of military sexual trauma and harassment in the Rhode Island National Guard.
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Rep. Phillips bill would mandate 15 percent markup on cigarette retail price
Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland) has introduced legislation (2017-H 5506) that would amend the existing Unfair Sales Practices law, which currently mandates a 6-percent markup on all retail costs, by requiring a 15-percent markup in the sale of cigarettes. Similar legislation (2017-S 0470) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Frank S. Lombardo III (D-Dist. 25, Johnston).
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

 

Details of David Pecker's Involvement in Donald Trump's alleged hush money trial came to light in court Thursday. Pecker took the stand for his third day of testimony, and revealed conversations between himself, the former President, and Associate Michael Cohen. Pecker says he arranged to buy the story surrounding Trump's alleged affair with Playboy model Karen McDougal for $150,000, but backed out of the deal after consulting with election lawyers, believing the payment may break the law.        Students at Columbia University are filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school. They filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights on Thursday, demanding an investigation into the school's actions against pro-Palestinian students. The lawsuit alleges Columbia has mistreated students utilizing their first amendment rights.        The abortion issue was front and center on Wednesday. First, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a closely-watched case over whether Idaho's near-total abortion ban conflicts with a federal law requiring hospitals to provide patients emergency care. A decision is expected in June. Later in the day, Arizona's House of Representatives voted to repeal a Civil War-era abortion law that bans nearly all abortions, and the bill now heads to the state Senate.       The parent company of TikTok has no plans to sell the social media platform. In a statement posted on a Chinese media platform it owns, ByteDance denied a report from website The Information that said it's looking at options for a possible sale. Earlier this week, President Biden signed a bill into law that calls for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face being banned in the U.S.        The World Health Organization says teen use of alcohol and e-cigarettes is "alarming." In a new analysis, the WHO said the findings show a "concerning picture." The most commonly used substance among adolescents is alcohol, with more than half of 15-year-olds saying they've tried it at least once. Nearly one in ten teens said they've been drunk, with the rate increasing among older teens.        The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to New York State for the first time since 2021. The MTV Video Music Awards are leaving Newark's Prudential Center and heading for Long Island, making New Jersey's loss New York's gain. The show will be held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, the new home of the Islanders. It's hosted concerts, wrestling and college basketball but never an awards show since opening three years ago. The VMAs are scheduled for September 10th. The UBS arena is the sixth New York location chosen to host the awards show.       

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